The National Police Service has confirmed that its long-awaited countrywide recruitment will take place on Monday, November 17 and it will all be done in a single day.
Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja announced the details on Friday, putting to rest weeks of uncertainty surrounding the exercise.
Kanja said the recruitment will be conducted simultaneously at 427 centres across the country, running from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. By the end of the day, an estimated 10,000 new police constables are expected to have been selected.
“On 31st October 2025, the National Police Service placed an advertisement in all major newspapers announcing the recruitment of 10,000 suitably qualified youths to be trained as police constables,” the IG said in a statement. “The recruitment is confirmed to proceed as scheduled on Monday, 17th November 2025. It is a one-day exercise.”
The announcement comes just hours after the High Court lifted a suspension that had stalled the process. Justice Bahati Mwamuye had put the recruitment on hold on November 10 to allow the court to consider a petition filed by activist Eliud Matindi. Matindi argued that the Inspector General lacked the constitutional mandate to independently conduct the exercise.
With the suspension lifted, the police service has renewed its call for eligible young Kenyans to turn up, describing the mass recruitment as “a new dawn” and a chance for the next generation of officers to help shape ongoing reforms within the service.
Unlike military recruitment often a multi-day affair the police exercise will be quick and intensive.
Applicants must meet several requirements, including being Kenyan citizens between 18 and 28 years old, holding a valid national ID, and having at least a D+ in KCSE, including a D+ in English or Kiswahili.
hey must also be physically and medically fit. Male candidates should be at least 5’8”, while female candidates must be at least 5’3” and not pregnant during recruitment or training.
Those with criminal records or pending court cases will not be allowed to participate. NYS graduates who meet all the qualifications are especially encouraged to present themselves.
The NPS also issued a firm warning against bribery and corruption during the exercise, stressing that anyone caught whether giving or receiving a bribe will face serious legal consequences.
